A Faithless Popular Culture Breeds Unbelief

by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.

Summary:Unbelief permeated the culture of Jesus' day, just as it dominates many sectors of our modern world. Jesus' ministry to a boy with seizures contains jewels of insight to help keep us from being influenced by our faithless culture.

Mark 9:17-24 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. [18] Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” [19] “O UNBELIEVING GENERATION,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? BRING THE BOY TO ME.” [20] So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. [21] Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. [22] “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But IF YOU CAN DO ANYTHING, take pity on us and help us.” [23] “ ‘IF YOU CAN’?” said Jesus. “EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE FOR HIM WHO BELIEVES.” [24] Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I DO BELIEVE; HELP ME OVERCOME MY UNBELIEF!”

(4) “IF you CAN?” — Jesus’ reaction was amazement.

•• In Mark 8, the disciples mentioned forgetting to bring bread to eat. Jesus reminded them of His having fed the 4,000 with 7 loaves and the 5,000 with 5 loaves. Then He said, “Do you still not understand?” [21] — kind of a Jewish “Mama Mia!”

•• Jesus was saying to them [and us]:“No more of this ‘if you can’!”

(5) “EVERYTHING is possible” —

•• Enlarge the horizons of what you are looking to the Lord for. Don't limit God!